Biking/Cycling Resources

Road Bikes, Triathlon Bikes
So, what is the difference between a road bike and a triathlon bike? This is an appropriate question to ask if your new bike may be used for cycling in events other than triathlons. That is to say, for triathlons but also other types of riding in addition to triathlons. Many people think (incorrectly) a triathlon bike is only good for riding in triathlons. The representatives of the bike shop that wrote this article says that is not correct. Triathlon bikes are well suited for any type of long distance road riding where comfort and efficiency are the primary concern. More information about the comparisons and contrasts between road bikes and triathlon bikes is included here.

Early Season Errors
Triathlons and Duathlons are a relatively young sport. They benefit from the legacy of cycling, distance running and swimming, and the lessons learned from individual sports can help the multisport athlete avoid big problems. Enthusiasm and procrastination are the catalyst for a vicious cycle of early season errors. Every athlete has made some of these opening day goofs, and this article gives practical tips to avoid factors that can ruin a season, such as not covering your legs while biking and not taking care of your bicycle.

History of Bicycling
Like most historical topics, the history of the bicycle is often debated. This website provides a few links about bicycle history for the athlete enthusiasts. books will state that Pierre and Ernest Michaux, the French father and son team of carriage-makers, invented the first bicycle during the 1860s. Historians now disagree and there is evidence that the bicycle is older than that appears. But historians do agree that Ernest Michaux did invent the modern bicycle pedal and cranks in 1861. You can read on at this website for more history of the bicycling industry.

Was The First Aerobar Really Not The First?
This informative article is about aero bars. Although the use of aero' bars has spread beyond the world of triathlon, they are firmly entrenched in triathlon culture and lore. Aero' bars work because they create a more aerodynamic position on the bike, hence the name. Position on the bike is an important aerodynamic factor, as it can cut down on wind resistance by changing the flow of air around the rider and the bike. Aero bars achieve a more aerodynamic position by placing the upper body of the rider in a lower position, with their arms extended out in front of the body. According to this article, studies have shown that 20-40 seconds are saved over 40km because of the more aerodynamic position that aero bars create, so for speed, it's a must-have.

Elements of Good Bicycling Form
Because the bike section is the longest portion of the triathlon, both in distance and time, it is important to feel comfortable and efficient while riding. If you can learn to become smooth on the bike, you will be able to save energy for the final run portion of the triathlon. There are several skills that you can practice in order to become a better cyclist. First, achieve a high cadence. Cadence is defined as the number of rotations per minute of your pedals. You can determine your cadence by counting how many times your right foot does a complete pedal circle within 10 seconds, then multiply by 6 for total rotations per minute. A good goal cadence is around 90 rotations per minute. This is equivalent to 15 pedal rotations of your right foot in 10 seconds. This may feel fast and awkward at first, but will get more comfortable. Shifting is also imperative, so you can stay at or near the cadence of 90 rotations per minute. In addition, you should practice achieving a circular pedal stroke. The rest of this article gives good cycling tips for a triathlon